If you want to easily be found online, then it's vital that you are getting ranked highly on search engines like Google. For many people, the first thing that they will do when they are interested in a new service or product is look to Google to find out more information. However, Google is continually updating its algorithms, which can make it harder for people to be easily found online. That is, unless they know exactly what factors go into that rating.
Here are 13 of the most important, yet little known about, factors that go into online rankings in 2014.
Your Site Must Run Well
Google is tracking just how well your site runs. After all, they don't want to promote websites that continually have trouble when users access them. Therefore, one of the biggest keys for ranking is that your site must run fast and have limited, if not any, errors when users access it.
Content Must Be Completely Original
Content is king, as you'll see in the next few factors. However, before you just start uploading any content to your website, you need to make sure that it's all completely unique and original, as well as pertaining to your website.
Continually Updating The Website Will Help It Stay Fresh
Not only do you need to have original content, but you also need to have content on a regular basis. If your site is stagnant for too long without being updated, the site will fall in the rankings.
Spelling Is Key
The spelling for your site's content needs to be precise as well. Google has implemented a new system that checks for spelling to ensure that websites have correct spelling and that it's easier for users to read.
Grammar Counts Too
Not only spelling, but grammar counts as well. Having proper grammar will ensure that your site gets high rankings, while grammatical mistakes will harm the legitimacy of the website. If a website owner is having a hard time when it comes to continually posting content that is relevant and grammatically correct, they should consider hiring a writer to help them. The added person on the staff will certainly help to ensure that the website has the best content possible, as this will be their sole responsibility.
Keywords Make It Easier To Be Found
Your site needs to be rich in keywords. These keywords can be triggered when a user is looking something up online through the search engines, and they make it easier to be found. Keywords should be listed throughout the content on the website, in URLs, and on page names themselves.
Page Authority Makes It Reputable
Your site needs to be seen as credible if you plan to get high rankings. How do you become more credible? Well, a lot of it will have to do with traffic that your site brings in. If you are a reputable source, the site will get high rankings.
You Need Visitors
As mentioned above, you're going to need visitors if you hope to be ranked highly. Site traffic has a lot to do with the ability to be highly ranked on a search engine.
And You Need Them To Stay
Getting visitors is one thing; making sure they stay is something completely different. Websites that hope to get the best rankings on search engines need to have an exceptional bounce rate. If people aren't staying on the site, it'll take hits in search engine results.
Backlinks Remain Vital
Backlinks have always been helpful, so they shouldn't be forgotten here. Backlinks should have keywords and remain relevant to the site itself.
You'll Need To Be Social
The importance of social media continues to grow throughout the world, which is why it's also important for search engine rankings. Websites should ensure that their Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other profiles are all linked to the website.
Keep URLs Simple
It's vital that URLs are simple. Not only is does this make it easier for people to remember them when accessing them, but search engines also show preference to URLs that are the most simple. Shorter is better, and they'll benefit in rankings.
Video Integration
Finally, the site should have some sort of interactive media. Most commonly, this will include videos. Not only are videos great for getting recognized, but they are also the perfect type of content that could help your website get shared and earn even more visitors.
With these 13 factors in mind, websites can ensure that they can be found easily on search engines when viewers are looking for them.